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Like many other United States cities, Philadelphia once had an extensive streetcar network. However, whereas cities such as Los Angeles no longer have any trolleys, Philadelphia still has many trolley routes. In addition, Philadelphia has a few companies that offer trackless trolley tours in retrofitted trolleys with wheels. Based on factors like your age, you may qualify for discounts on trolley tours. In addition, some companies offer other ways to take part in trolley tours at a discounted rate.

Phlash Trolley Tours

Phlash is a Philadelphia bus company that offers direct service between many of Philadelphia's cultural and historic landmarks. While the Phlash bus does not run on trolley tracks, the body of the bus is a retrofitted trolley painted purple. Phlash travels on a route throughout Center City Philadelphia, stopping at must-see destinations like Independence Hall, Penn's Landing and the Philadelphia Zoo.

Phlash is a perfect, self-guided trolley tour option. With Phlash's discounted day passes, self-guided Philadelphia tours are a breeze. If you want a trolley tour of museums, for instance, get on and off the trolley at stops 12 (Rodin Museum) 14 (Philadelphia Museum of Art) and 20 (Franklin Institute). This particular route will also take you through the stunning urban wilderness of Fairmount Park.

Although the Phlash trolley bus fares are similar to other public transportation fares in Philadelphia, Phlash has several discount options. For instance, kids under six and adults 65 or older ride for free. In addition, if you travel with a family, you can purchase a further discounted, all-day family passes.

Philly Phlash

12th Street and Market Street

Philadelphia, PA

phillyphlash.com

SEPTA Trolley Tours

Philadelphia's main transit provider SEPTA (Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority) has trolleys as part of its fleet. While SEPTA provides no formal tours, the trolley routes are perfect for self-guided tours. Unlike the Phlash trolleys, SEPTA trolleys run along many of Philadelphia's historic trolley routes. Areas serviced by trolleys (track and bus trolleys) include West Philadelphia, Center City and North Philadelphia.

Although the SEPTA trolleys generally do not run too close to Philadelphia's most popular museums, they all go near dozens of breathtaking murals. Through an organization called the Mural Arts Program, Philadelphia has become the unofficial mural capital of America. The Mural Arts Program works with neighborhood residents to create murals that hold importance to the neighborhood where the mural will go. Since you will pass many of these murals on the SEPTA trolley routes, a two-hour ride on the trolley will provide you with an artistic, special tour through Philadelphia's diverse neighborhoods. Trolley Route 15, for instance, will take you along historic Girard Avenue near many stunning murals.

One of the easiest ways to take a discounted trolley tour on SEPTA is to purchase a pack of tokens. This will require multiple trips since tokens come in packs of two or more. However, the per-trip discount is the same, whether you get two tokens or ten tokens. Seniors 65 or older and children four and under (up to two children) can ride the SEPTA trolley for free. Discounted trolley fares are available to disabled riders, college students (at Temple, Drexel or University of Pennsylvania) and students in kindergarten through 12th grade. SEPTA also offers daily, family daily, weekly and monthly passes. You can use the passes on SEPTA's track trolleys, bus trolleys, rail and bus lines.

SEPTA

1234 Market St,

Floor 5

Philadelphia, PA‎

215-580-4000

septa.org

Philly Trolley Works

Unlike SEPTA, Philly Trolley Works is geared specifically towards tourists. Philly Trolley Works' fleet consists of a few vehicles including retrofitted trolleys on wheels. Trolley tours leave from Independence National Historic Park at 5th and Market Streets. Tours take visitors to some of America's most historic sites such as the Betsy Ross House and the much-filmed Eastern State Penitentiary. Philly Trolley Works is much more expensive than SEPTA or Phlash, but they do offer slight discounts to seniors and more substantial discounts to children between the ages of four and 12.

Philadelphia Trolley Works

1350 Schuylkill Avenue

Philadelphia, PA 19146

215-389-TOUR

phillytour.com

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About the Author

Alexander Grouch is a freelance screenwriter, journalist and children's book author. He currently writes music reviews for "The Red Alert." Grouch has visited all 48 contiguous states and plans to document his journeys in a travelogue. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Africana studies from Brown University.

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